Unending travails of Ondo APC

HAKEEM GBADAMOSI traces the genesis of the lingering crisis rocking the Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the implications to the party’s 2019 aspirations.

THE leadership crisis rocking the Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is far from being over as it has continued to take on new twists by the day. Right now, the war of attrition in the Ondo APC is threatening to tear the party apart.

The party is now polarised with various factions working at cross- purposes giving the impression that they could work against the fortunes of the party in the forthcoming elections, notwithstanding the claims in each camp that they were working towards the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

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Apart from working at cross purposes, the various factions have been laying claims to being in charge of the leadership of the party, though, Mr  Ade Adetimehin remains the man recognised by the national secretariat as the state chairman and his leadership has been confirmed by a court of law.

The genesis of the crisis rocking the Ondo APC dates back to the 2016 gubernatorial election primaries which produced Rotimi Akeredolu as the candidate of the party. Though, Akeredolu emerged the governor of the state at the end of the day, the rancour the primary election created was left unresolved.

While some notable members of the party left the party to realise their aspirations on other political platforms, some stayed to work against the party in the election, while some instituted legal actions to challenge the emergence of Akeredolu as the party candidate and as governor.

Many had believed that the emergence of Akeredolu as governor and his inauguration would put an end to the crisis within the Ondo APC, but they were wrong after all, the gulf within the party kept expanding each passing day.  The erstwhile state chairman of the party, Mr Isaacs Kekemeke was the first casualty after the inauguration of Akeredolu as governor.

Though, the governor kept his distance over the plans of some notable members to replace Kekemeke, who many believed worked against his emergence, a number of stakeholders clamoured for the replacement of Kekemeke and his deputy, Ade Adetimehin,  Akeredolu sat on the fence. The rancour this action created still lives within the party till today. But not a few members of the party hold the view that the removal of Kekemeke was with Akeredolu’s blessing. They reason that the governor might have done that to stabilise his government.

However, the action has pitched those who were at home with leadership style of Kekemeke against the governor and Adetimehin. Apart from this, the many splinter groups within Ondo APC are complaining of being sidelined by the leadership of the party and Akeredolu’s government. They complained of being schemed out in terms of appointments and contracts despite working for the emergence of Akeredolu as governor.

They claim that, “If you are not part of Aketi team, you’re not a member of APC in this state. Every other group had been sidelined and we are waiting for Aketi’s return but he should just kiss his second term dreams goodbye.”

The imbroglio emanating from the congress of the party conducted in May, 2018 is still haunting the party. The APC in the state went into the congress with divided house and the outcome of the results from the congress is still causing division in the party. Parallel congresses were conducted, leading to the emergence of parallel executives for the party, while one of the groups led by Idowu Otetubi headed to the court.

The division within the Ondo APC however, became more pronounced during the mode of primaries to be adopted by the party in selecting candidates for the 2019 election. While the group loyal to the governor and Adetimehin supported indirect mode of primaries, all the other groups embraced direct mode. Though the Adetimehin led executive succumbed to use of direct mode of the primaries at the end of the day, most of the candidates from his camp failed to make the final list.

The intra party exercise caused apprehension within the party in the state with the National Working Committee of the party returning all the three serving senators, which included, Senators Robert Ajayi Borrofice (North); Donald Tayo Alasoadura (Central) and Yele Omogunwa (South) despite the opposition by Akeredolu’s supporters.

It was learnt from some quarters that Akeredolu has vowed to ensure that Borroffice, who is not on the same page with the governor, is replaced at the National Assembly. The governor’s anointed candidate, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, however failed to make the list despite all efforts to impose him over other candidates while Mr. Lucky Ayedatiwa (Ondo South) who had been penciled in to replace Omogunwa was also rejected by the NWC

In the same vein, some members of the House of Representatives who were stopped from getting return tickets by the party in the state were also returned, dashing the hope of the Aketi group.  Even the governor’s preferred aspirants like Gboyega Adefarati, Stephen Olemija, and few others from Idanre/ ifedore, Ileoluji/Okeigbo and Okitipupa/Irele were also rejected by the party; a development that is now causing disquiet in the Aketi’s camp.

On the list of approved House of Representatives candidates are former security aide to Transportation Minister while he was governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, Ade Adeogun (Akoko South West/ South East ); Olubunmi Tunji Ojo (Akoko North West/ North East);

Others included, Timehin Adelegbe (Ose/Owo); Bamidele Baderinwa (Idanre/Ifedore); Dr Jibayo Adeyeye (Ondo East/West), Mayo Akinfolarin (Odigbo/Ileoluji Okeigbo); Akintoye Albert also a former federal lawmaker (Irele/Okitipupa) as well as a journalist, Donald Ojogo (Ilaje/Ese-Odo)

This led to some candidates of the APC moving to other platforms to pursue their ambition. One of such candidate is Dr. Abayomi, who hinged his decision to quit the party to what he described as irregularities, marginalisation and unconstitutional actions by the party’s leadership. Abayomi in a letter to the party and Akeredolu described the outcome of the APC decision over the primaries elections as unacceptable to the people of his senatorial district and himself, as denial of their constitutional rights and also against the party’s constitution and rules and regulations.

“In keeping with long standing determination to fight for my right and your right, I will run for Senate in Ondo North Senatorial Zone on the platform of Action Alliance since the National Leadership of APC under Adams Oshiomhole has unconstitutionally blocked my chance by forcing its candidates on us all.

“My decision to detour this time has been difficult. Since 2003 I have been with you. In spite of the many challenges we faced together, I have not retreated. I have not equivocated. I have not moved an inch because there was always a chance at redemption. Today the chance is unconstitutionally totally blocked. In my interest and in your interest I must keep the chance open. After the next senatorial election which I hope to win, I will return to you,” he stated.

The defection of Abayomi to the AA was followed by those believed to belong to the camp of Akeredolu who could not secure the tickets of the APC for the 2019 elections. They included a member of the House of Representatives in Akoko North East/Akoko North West federal constituency, Hon. Stephen Olemija, who picked the ticket of AA for re-election and Chief Segun Ategbole who picked the ticket of AA for House of Reps in Akoko South East/Akoko South West federal constituency.

The party however was quick to dissociate itself from the development, declaring its resolve to work for the victory of its senatorial candidate for Ondo north senatorial district, Ajayi Boroffice and other candidates in the 2019 election.

While speaking with journalists, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Alex Kalejaye, said Abayomi was free to go anywhere he decides to go. He said: “ Dr Abayomi, a notable member of the party, felt aggrieved and his argument was that he is so popular that he could win the senatorial seat of Ondo north on any platform. We only wish him well.

“He is going to test his popularity, we have no problem about that, we will always do what is needful for our own member to ensure victory for our party.

“The victory of our party is what is important to us. However, we will continue to appeal to people who are angry to put the issue of primaries behind them, join hands with the leadership of the party to ensure victory for our party in 2019.

We appreciate those that listen, and those that say no, they will still leave, we won’t hold any grudge against them”. Kalejaye said

Reacting to the claim by Abayomi that he was flying the APC flag on the platform of AA, the party spokesman said that was not possible, adding that, “I don’t see the possibility for somebody leaving a party and hoisting the flag of that party on another platform, it is not possible; you are either here or there, it is either you are in AA, APC or you are in PDP.

“You have to belong to one of the political parties to contest as a candidate as it is today in Nigeria. So anybody that is saying that, I don’t know but what I do know is that it’s either you are in this party.”

The crisis also extended to the State House of Assembly, where 18 out of the 26 lawmakers at the Ondo State House of Assembly in a dramatic way impeached the Speaker, Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun and his deputy, Iroju Ogundeji, over gross misconduct, incompetence, financial misappropriation, high handedness and enriching themselves through corrupt means.

The impeachment exercise, however turned sour when men of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) invaded the Assembly complex, armed with objects such as cutlass, canes, knives and stones, disrupted the proceedings, beating the lawmakers, journalists and staff of the Assembly, while security operatives folded their hands, looking the other way.

While the lawmakers called on governor Akeredolu not to meddle or interfere with the legislative functions, some members of the party said the impeachment was done in bad faith, adding that the lawmakers carried out the impeachment process because they failed to secure the governor’s support for their return ticket to the Assembly.

The 18 aggrieved lawmakers had since relocated out of the state while the remaining eight despite being in the minority have been carrying out legislative function. Though it was gathered that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibajo and Ekiti state governor, Kayode Fayemi had intervened in the crisis but the 18 lawmakers maintained that the impeached speaker remains suspended and all meetings thereafter remained stalemated.

The aggrieved lawmakers refused to shift ground and vowed not to reinstate the Speaker who they described as a rubber stamp and stooge of the governor.

The internal wrangling within the Ondo APC took a new dimension the penultimate week when a group under the aegis of Concerned APC leaders, led by the former deputy governor in the state and a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Alhaji Ali Olanusi, called for the dissolution of the State Executive of the party led by Hon. Ade Adetimehin, over alleged anti-party activities.

The leaders alleged the state executive of the party of undermining the National leadership of APC through litigations, while they also alleged the Adetimehin led executive of encouraging aspirants to approach court over the outcome of the party primaries in the state, while some members were encouraged to join other parties to realise their aspirations.

The group condemned the alleged plot by the APC state executive to work against the party in favour of an opposition party in the forthcoming elections, calling for the dissolution of the Adetimehin led executive and constitute a Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the party in Ondo State.

The group communique read “the meeting urges the National headquarter to note and work on the sinister plot by some disgruntled party officials to stay in the party and work against the success of the party in the forthcoming 2019 general election, especially in favour of Action Alliance (AA)”

“That the leaders observed the compromise of the State Executive of the party in undermining the National leadership through court litigation and thereby urged the National leadership to dissolve the state executive and put in place a caretaker committee in order to have one single party and one goal in Ondo state,” the group said.

The group expressed concerns over the invasion and attack on the members of the State House of Assembly by hoodlums suspected to be members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) during an impeachment process.

The communiqué read “That we condemned the development whereby the drivers union allegedly unleash terror on the party members in the state and physically attacked members of the state House of Assembly on the hallowed chamber.

“We condemn as anomalies the situation where eight lawmakers out of 26 members in the House passed resolutions bothering on the on financial budget. The State House of Assembly should be left alone to carry out its duties without any fear or hindrance from the Executive

“That the various groups of APC members in Ondo state which constitute almost 80 percent of the members of the party in the state formed a platform that is capable of winning election for the party in the state in 2019

“That the group has pledged absolute loyalty to President Buhari, the National leader of the party,  Comrade Oshiomole, and our National leader,  Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu”

In a counter reaction , the APC Elders Caucus, speaking through its Chairman, Senator Nimbe Farukanmi, described the Olanusi group as unknown to the party, while he described the  pronouncement of the estranged group, led by the former deputy governor of the state as faceless and not known to the party.

According to Farunkanmi, the statement credited to the group was targeted to plunge the party into crisis in the state ahead of the 2019 general election, saying no committed member of the party would call for the dissolution of a performing State Executive Committee.

The Farunkanmi Elders Caucus however passed vote of confidence on the Ade Adetimehin led Executive Committee in the State, saying members of the state executive were legally constituted. They noted that the former deputy governor was aggrieved over the refusal of the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, to pay more than the entitlement of Olanusi to him as ordered by the court.

The group in their communique said “that the Ondo State APC believes in, and strongly supports the State Executive Committee led by Engr. Ade Adetimehin and that what the Alli Olanusi and his group did amounts to gross anti-party activity, and should therefore be appropriately sanctioned;

“That there is only one party executive led by Engr. Ade Adetimehin, as recently affirmed by a recent court judgment and one Elders Caucus under the Chairmanship of Senator Nimbe Farukanmi. That Alhaji Olanusi, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke and their group never believed in the APC, and didn’t work for the party during the last governorship election in Ondo State. How could they claim to control over 80 percent of the APC strength in the State?

They advised the group to retrace their steps and return to the party, in order to work together tomorrow ensure victory for the party during the forthcoming  elections.

Also in a response, the leadership of the party in the state described as a false proposition the call for the dissolution of the State Working Committee of the party, saying “that does not qualify for a space in our party’s constitution.”

A statement issued by the Director of Publicity of the party, Mr. Steve Otaloro read: “First, these people led by Ali Alanusi are well known serial political party defectors who still find it difficult to change from their conservative natural habitat. They cannot exist within the progressives. As much as the progressive tried to cohabitation with them, they are ever averse to change and hold on to their socially, conservative ideas. How can a handful of persons in their parlour want to decide the fate of the entire party?

“To them it’s their way, or no way. It’s all about them: They don’t understand the concept of “service above self”. They are not concerned to engender the trust, confidence, and loyalty of members, and the leadership of the party they have claimed to belong to. Nothing disgruntled them more than the feelings that they are not allowed their selfish wishes for the party and the government.

“ Mr Isaacs Kekemeke is ruled by an over abundant ego, pride, and arrogance, being, a former chairman of our party who was unceremoniously removed from office for his shameless involvement in anti party activities against the same party he led (APC) in the last governorship election in Ondo State is still embittered with the party for his removal from office.

“These people are fighting a lost battle as APC Ondo State is one; we are ready to face the coming election with or without them. After all, they have never won any race for us before. Ali Olanusi as a sitting Deputy Governor lost his constituents to the opposition, while Isaacs Kekemeke with a complex pattern of cross-party allegiances has never won his poling unit let alone his Ward for APC in the past. Obviously, they are all political spent force with no electoral value whatsoever.

“They have started their intrigues again just like they pretended to be working for us in the 2016 gubernatorial election but were discovered to be working undercover for the Alliance for Democracy, AD.

“This time we would not allow their last political maneuver to affect us in anyway. We are moving forward into next year general election more determined, prepared and undeterred by their shenanigan. Once beaten twice shy.

“Every politics is said to be local but not to Alhaji Ali Olanusi and his cohort who pledge their absolute loyalty to some party figures outside the state but not to the governor and leader of the party in the state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

“It’s clearly told that they are being externally sponsored to cause implosion within the party to pave way for them to install their puppet to control the party in the name of ‘caretaker committee”

However, political pundits have posited that the crisis within the Ondo state chapter of the APC might have a negative implications on the fortune of the party in the 2019 election. The party in the state will be going to the election with divided house and get might be working at cross purposes.

They also noted that though, all the various factions have vowed to ensure the return of President Muhammadu Buhari but working against the candidates of the party which might be a blessing to the opposition parties. They attributed the crisis within the APC in the state to power play and selfish ambition of some politicians.

According to one of the analysts in the state, Ojo Alafe, who stated that the crisis within the Ondo APC is a battle for the second term of Akeredolu, “some of the politicians in Aketi’s camp have started strategising for the 2020 election even without the knowledge of the governor

“These people want to be relevant in the political scene of the state and believe, without Aketi at the helms of affairs, it might be difficult. They are at advantage and using it against every other group within the party.”

He however predicted doom for the party in any election in the state unless every group within the state APC drop their ego and work together as a team adding that, “if they fail to come together, defeat is imminent and might be the end of APC in the state.”